INDIANAPOLIS – It's difficult to imagine a worse set of breaks for Indiana than the trio that took place at the outset of tonight's Big Ten Championship.

On the game's first snap, quarterback Fernando Mendoza took a vicious hit from Center Grove product Caden Curry and had to come out for a play after laying prone on the field for several minutes. Mendoza returned, but he was clearly jumpy the rest of the half.

Then, just a few plays later, Mendoza looked deep to receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who was unable to come up with the ball and then hopped off the field with what appears to be a calf injury. The receiver tied for the Big Ten lead in touchdown receptions did not play the rest of the half.

Later, after IU had steadied itself, taken an early lead and had some offensive momentum, a tunn

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